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I’ll be having my family over for Easter celebration this year and I’m looking forward to making my table festive. My sister is coming over the day before to color eggs with me and I want to get some spring flowers like lilies and tulips to create a centerpiece. What I’m really happy about is being able to include lots of fresh spring produce into my celebration. Now that the warmer weather has arrived it will be nice to create a menu that is loaded with fruits and vegetables and lighter fare.

Right now there are a lot of choices as far as seasonal fruits and veggies. Always keep in mind that when you buy in season you’re buying produce at a lower cost since it’s plentiful and at its peak of flavor. Asparagus is my favorite spring veggie so I’m definitely including it on the menu. I usually steam it or saute in olive oil, but I’ve found the perfect recipe on the Fruits & Veggies–More Matters website I intend to try–Asparagus with Lemon Sauce.

Artichokes, another in season veggie, are a family favorite so I will cook some up ahead of time to serve. We like them with lots of chopped garlic and olive oil, but there are plenty of ways you can enjoy them–stuffed artichokes are probably one of the most popular ways. The Fruits & Veggies Produce Man has some great tips in this how-to video for stuffing, steaming or broiling artichokes. Spinach is also in abundance right now so I intend to make a nice spinach salad and include white mushrooms, red onion and grape tomatoes.

When it comes to dessert, there are plenty spring fruit choices. Pineapples, apricots and mangos are all in season, but my family’s favorite are strawberries. You may have noticed in your local market the past couple of weeks the cartons of big, ripe strawberries as the crops are beginning to harvest. I bought some last week and they are sweet and juicy! My kids like them sliced with a little whipped cream on top, but for Easter I may go ahead and buy some of the other seasonal fruits and make a fruit salad.

Whatever you’re celebrating this season, Easter, Passover or just the change of seasons, I hope you’ll also choose to welcome some of the flavors of spring to your table. It’s a healthy and flavorful way to kick off the warmer months of the year.